Fallout 5may need to make an adjustment to the series' usual idea regarding its protagonists' backgrounds. The way thatFalloutdesigns its stories frequently includes some similar beats, leading to the early phases of many of the games feeling similar in one way or another. While this familiarity helps to ease players in when going from one game to another, it may be good forFallout 3to throw off old traditions in favor of a new kind of protagonist. At the very least, it would giveFallout 5something that can make it stand out.
One of thecommon traditions inFalloutgamesis that its protagonists are rarely experienced in the ways of the wasteland. To be fair, this is a fairly good justification for why the player character starts at Level 1 with underwhelming skills and no real specialty. Part of the story of theFalloutseries has often included the player character rising from being a relative nobody to one of the most important figures in the wasteland through their adventures and decisions. In addition, it also plays into the blank slate nature ofFallout’s protagonists, with players able to develop them however they wish.
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Fallout 5 Doesn’t Need To Star An Inexperienced Explorer
Most ofFallout’s leads are complete newcomers to the wasteland.Fallout’s Vault Dweller andFallout 3’s Vault 101 outcasthad never left their vaults before they went on their respective quests.Fallout 4’s protagonist took that further by waking up from being frozen at the adventure’s start, knowing absolutely nothing about the vault, much less the wasteland. The only exceptions areFallout 2andFallout New Vegas. Even then,Fallout 2’s protagonist lived their whole life in a relatively peaceful village, whileNew Vegas' courier was near-fatally shot in the intro. Due to these circumstances, it’s not surprising that those two begin the game weak as well.
AFalloutgame with a more experienced protagonist could provide a new perspective.Fallout 2andNew Vegas' protagonistsshowed that the hero didn’t need to be fresh out of a vault to make the game work. Rather, the player could have a selection of specializations that could offer a hint at the character’s past. For example, they could be an experienced mechanic who is especially skilled with Repair and Science at the cost of their combat abilities, or a street-tough brawler who is hardier than normal, but lacks negotiation skills. This added twist could giveFallout 5’s protagonist a skill that makes their prior life in the wasteland believable.
An experienced protagonist could also lead to a different kind ofstory forFallout 5to tell. The player character’s background could have some impact on how certain characters react to them. For example, a former soldier or mercenary could be recognized by a raider gang they fought once, leading to a fight. A hunter could be welcomed with open arms to a farming village they aided before, earning them a discount on food. Little interactions like this could establish the player character as a part ofFallout 5’s world, while not being as restrictive asFallout 4’s full backstory was.
Fallout 5could be a significantly different game from past installments with a character that knows what they’re doing in the wasteland.Fallout 5’s character customization needs a boost, and rather than playing a complete wasteland rookie, putting the player in the shoes of a character who already has a set of skills could be what the game needs. Subtle shifts in the story could also be a benefit of this approach, as seen withMass Effect’s backstory options opening new dialogue and quests. By taking a chance on a new kind of protagonist,Fallout 5could let players experience the wasteland like never before.
